Actress Han Ji-hye, 42, recently shared a glimpse into her disciplined fitness routine, proving that maintaining a healthy physique remains a top priority even while traveling abroad.
On Sept. 1, Han posted updates on social media detailing her workout session in Seattle, Washington. Dressed in a black crop top and leggings, Han showcased a lean, athletic physique featuring a flat stomach and sharply defined six-pack. After completing her workout, she remarked that it was challenging but expressed satisfaction with her progress.
Han married in 2010 and welcomed her daughter in 2021. Throughout her 40s, she has maintained a toned silhouette by combining specialized exercise disciplines, most notably barre and the stepmill.
Barre: Sculpting Core Strength and Improving Posture
The barre routine Han practiced during her trip blends ballet-inspired movements with principles from Pilates, yoga, and strength training. Holding onto a ballet barre for balance, participants execute squats, lunges, leg lifts, and small, isometric repetitions using body weight.
While the range of motion in barre is relatively small, repeating controlled movements in sustained holds deeply activates the glutes, thighs, and core. Maintaining trunk stability throughout the routine continuously recruits the rectus abdominis as well as deeper core structures, including the transverse abdominis and internal and external obliques. Stronger core muscles reinforce spinal alignment, improve posture, and enhance overall balance.
However, fitness experts emphasize that barre alone cannot spot-reduce abdominal fat. To reveal a defined six-pack, individuals must combine core-strengthening exercises with overall body-fat reduction through dietary control and cardiovascular training.
Stepmill: High-Intensity Cardio and Lower-Body Conditioning
To complement core conditioning, Han regularly trains on the stepmill—a cardio machine often nicknamed the "Stairway to Heaven." The stepmill requires users to continuously climb moving stairs, forcing the body to lift its own weight against gravity. This rapidly elevates heart rate and maximizes caloric expenditure in a short timeframe.
Stair climbing engages major lower-body muscle groups, including the gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Regular stepmill workouts also significantly enhance cardiorespiratory endurance, with research confirming that consistent stair-climbing exercise improves maximal oxygen uptake.
Combining Barre and Stepmill for Peak Synergy
Pairing barre with the stepmill offers a complementary approach to body management. While barre focuses on muscular endurance, core stabilization, and posture, the stepmill drives cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning.
Furthermore, the stepmill naturally reinforces core engagement, as climbing requires steady balance to prevent the upper body from swaying. Health organizations widely recommend combining muscle-strengthening activities with aerobic exercise—a strategy effectively demonstrated by Han’s routine for preserving lean muscle, managing body fat, and maintaining a firm physique.
